Forward and rearward facing child seat with belt tensioning mechanism for improved installation

ABSTRACT

A child seat including a tensioning mechanism for applying tension to a seat belt to more fully secure the child seat to a vehicle seat is provided herein. The child seat, which may be front- and/or rear-facing, includes a seat base defining a seat portion and a backrest portion. The seat base can receive an untensioned belt to secure the child seat to a vehicle seat in an untensioned configuration. A tensioning mechanism attached to the backrest portion and is rotatable between a first position substantially adjacent to the backrest portion and a second position disposed therefrom. In the second position, the tensioning mechanism can receive a portion of the belt. In the first position, the tensioning mechanism applies tension to the portion of the received belt to secure the child seat to the vehicle seat in a tensioned configuration. Methods of manufacturing child seats are also provided herein.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/294,242 filed Oct. 14, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/063,807 filed Oct. 25, 2013 (now issued as U.S.Pat. No. 9,499,074 which issued on Nov. 22, 2016), and the entirecontents of all of the above are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to the field of child safetyseats, and more particularly, to a child safety seat that may be used ineither a forward facing or rearward facing orientation and includes atensioning mechanism for applying tension to a seat belt to more fullysecure the child safety seat to a vehicle seat, thereby providing foreasier installation of the child safety seat to the vehicle seat.

BACKGROUND

Child safety seating products are designed to protect children invehicles from the effects of impacts or other sudden changes in motion(e.g., sudden deceleration). Child safety seats, commonly referred tosimply as child seats, may be used in a variety of vehicles with avariety of seating orientations. For example, it is often recommendedfor the youngest children to use rear-facing child seats for additionalsafety, while forward-facing seats can be used when the child reaches anappropriate size. It is important for a child seat to be properlysecured to the vehicle seat to protect the occupant, particularly duringan impact.

SUMMARY

Some child safety seats are secured to a vehicle seat with the seat beltof the vehicle. In such situations, securing the child seat may beawkward and difficult. Moreover, maintaining a proper amount of tensionin the seat belt can also be difficult. Indeed, an improper amount oftension is undesirable and may negatively affect the safety of theoccupant secured within the child seat. It would be advantageous to havean easy-to-use and secure child seat that may be used in either aforward-facing or rear-facing configuration depending on the parents'needs.

Example embodiments of the present invention include a child seat thatmay be secured to a vehicle seat in both a rear-facing and front-facingorientation. The child seat may define a seat base that may define aseat portion and a backrest portion. The seat base may be designed toreceive a seat belt from a vehicle seat and secure the child seat to thevehicle seat in an untensioned configuration. The seat belt may securethe child seat to the vehicle seat by using a tensioning mechanism thatis attached to the seat base. In some embodiments, the tensioningmechanism may be moved between a first position that is adjacent to theseat base and a second position that is displaced from the seat base.The second position of the tensioning mechanism may allow the seat beltto be received by the seat base, while the first position holds the beltin a tensioned configuration. Moving the tensioning mechanism from thesecond position to the first position may apply the tension to the belt.The child seat may be able to receive the belt and apply tension to itwhen the child seat is in either or both of a rear-facing andfront-facing orientation.

In some embodiments, the tensioning mechanism may rotate between thefirst and second positions. By receiving a substantially vertical force,the tensioning mechanism may rotate from the second position to thefirst position and apply tension to the belt.

In some embodiments, the seat base may define a first edge and a secondedge. The first and second edges may be configured to receive the beltand thereby define a first belt path spanning the first and secondedges. Additionally, each of the first and second edges may have aninlet and a retaining channel, such that each inlet channel may guidethe belt into the respective retaining channel. In some embodiments, theseat base may receive the belt so as to define the first belt path whenthe child seat is in the rear-facing orientation. The seat base maydefine a second belt path spanning the first and second edges when thechild seat is in the front-facing configuration. In some embodiments,first belt path may be defined between the tensioning mechanism and theseat base at a position proximate an intermediate region of the seatportion. The second belt path may be defined between the tensioningmechanism and the seat base at a position proximate an intersection ofthe seat portion and backrest portion of the seat base.

Additionally, in some embodiments, a force for moving the tensioningmechanism from the second position to the first position while the beltis in the first belt path is substantially similar to a force for movingthe tensioning mechanism from the second position to the first positionwhile the belt is in the second belt path. The resulting tension appliedto the belt in the first belt path may be substantially similar to theresulting tension applied to the belt in the second belt path.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the tensioning mechanism may comprisean engaging surface that is adjacent a surface of the seat base when thetension mechanism is in the first position. A portion of the first beltpath corresponding to the first and second edges may be positionedhigher than a portion of the first belt path corresponding to theengaging surface of the tensioning mechanism, such that a portion of thebelt engaged by the engaging surface may be deflected substantiallytowards the seat base with respect to portions of the belt engaged bythe first and second edges when the tensioning mechanism is in the firstposition.

In some embodiments, the seat base may provide an open belt path, suchthat the seat base is configured to receive an edge of the belt when thetensioning mechanism is in the second position while the belt is in abuckled position with the vehicle seat.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the child seat may comprise a harnessdefining a first harness portion and a second harness portion. The firstharness portion and the second harness portion may each be configured torotate with the tensioning mechanism between the first position and thesecond position, such that the harness may be displaced away from thefirst belt path when the tension mechanism is moved from the firstposition to the second position.

In some embodiments, the seat base may define opposing side portions,where each side portion may comprise a lock receiving portion. Thetensioning mechanism may further comprise a locking mechanism comprisingtwo laterally-opposing locking members configured to translate betweenan extended position and a retracted position. Each lock receivingportion may be configured to receive a respective locking member whenthe tensioning mechanism is in the first position and the lockingmembers are in the extended position, thereby locking the tensioningmechanism in the first position. The locking members may also beconfigured to automatically translate to the extended position when thetensioning mechanism is rotated from the second position to the firstposition.

In some embodiments, the belt may define a lap section and a shouldersection. The seat base may be configured to receive a portion of the lapsection and a portion of the shoulder section of the belt in anuntensioned state to secure the child seat to the vehicle seat in anuntensioned configuration.

In another example embodiment, a child seat may be configured to besecured to a vehicle seat. The child seat may comprise a seat basedefining a seat portion and a backrest portion. The seat base may beconfigured to receive a belt of a vehicle seat in an untensioned stateto secure the child seat to the vehicle seat in an untensionedconfiguration. The seat base may further define a first edge and asecond edge. The seat base may be configured to receive the belt so asto define a belt path spanning the first and second edges. Additionally,each of the first and second edges may comprise an inlet channel and aretaining channel such that the belt path may extend from the retainingchannel in the first edge to the retaining channel in the second edge.The inlet channels of the first and second edge may then guide the beltinto the retaining channels.

Some embodiments may include a tensioning mechanism attached to thebackrest portion of the seat base. The tensioning mechanism may berotatable between a first position substantially adjacent to the seatbase and a second position displaced therefrom. Placing the tensioningmechanism in the second position may allow the seat base to receive thebelt, and the movement of the tensioning mechanism from the secondposition to the first position may apply tension to the belt to securethe child seat to the vehicle seat in a tensioned configuration. Thetensioning mechanism may be configured to rotate, in response toreceiving a substantially vertical force, from the second position tothe first position to apply tension to the belt to secure the child seatto the vehicle seat in a tensioned configuration. The belt path may bedefined between the tensioning mechanism and the seat base at a positionproximate the center of the seat portion, so as to position the childseat in a rear-facing orientation. Alternatively, the belt path may bedefined between the tensioning mechanism and the seat base at a positionproximate the intersection of the backrest portion and seat portions, soas to position the child seat in a front-facing orientation.

The seat base may further define opposing side portions, each of whichmay comprise a lock receiving portion. The tensioning mechanism mayfurther comprise a locking mechanism comprising two laterally-opposinglocking members configured to translate between an extended position anda retracted position. Each lock receiving portion may be configured toreceive a respective locking member when the tensioning mechanism is inthe first position and the locking members are in the extended position,thereby locking the tensioning mechanism in the first position. In someembodiments, the locking members may be configured to automaticallytranslate to the extended position when the tensioning mechanism isrotated from the second position to the first position.

In yet another example embodiment, a method may be defined formanufacturing a child seat configured to be secured to a vehicle seat inboth a rear-facing orientation and a front-facing orientation. Themethod may comprise providing a seat base defining a seat portion and abackrest portion. In some embodiments of the method, the seat base maybe configured to receive a belt of the vehicle seat in an untensionedstate to secure the child seat to the vehicle seat in an untensionedconfiguration. The method may comprise attaching a tensioning mechanismto the seat base, and the tensioning mechanism may be rotatable betweena first position substantially adjacent to the seat base and a secondposition displaced therefrom. Placing the tensioning mechanism in thesecond position may allow the seat base to receive the belt, and themovement of the tensioning mechanism from the second position to thefirst position may apply tension to the belt to secure the child seat tothe vehicle seat in a tensioned configuration. The seat base of thechild seat may be configured to receive the belt in both a rear-facingand front-facing orientation. The seat base may define a first edge anda second edge. The seat base may be configured to receive the belt so asto define a first belt path spanning the first and second edges. Each ofthe first and second edges may further comprise an inlet channel and aretaining channel, and each inlet channel may be configured to guide aportion of the belt into the respective retaining channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a child safety seat, in accordance with anexample embodiment of the present invention described herein;

FIG. 1A shows a side view of the child safety seat shown in FIG. 1, inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present invention describedherein;

FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of a tensioning mechanism of the child seatshown in FIG. 1 with the tensioning mechanism disposed in the firstposition, in accordance with an example embodiment of the presentinvention described herein;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the child seat shown in FIG. 1, where thetensioning mechanism has been rotated into the second position, inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present invention describedherein;

FIG. 3A shows a detailed view of the child seat and tensioning mechanismshown in FIG. 3, in accordance with an example embodiment of the presentinvention described herein;

FIG. 3B shows a detailed perspective view of the child seat andtensioning mechanism shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with an exampleembodiment of the present invention described herein;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a locking mechanism for the tensioningmechanism shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with an example embodiment ofthe present invention described herein;

FIG. 4A shows a top view of the locking mechanism shown in FIG. 4 withthe outer sleeve of the locking mechanism removed, in accordance with anexample embodiment of the present invention described herein;

FIG. 4B shows an exploded view of the locking mechanism shown in FIG.4A, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present inventiondescribed herein;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism shown inFIG. 4A with the locking members of the locking mechanism in theretracted position, in accordance with an example embodiment of thepresent invention described herein;

FIG. 5A shows a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism shown inFIG. 4A with the locking members of the locking mechanism in theextended position, in accordance with an example embodiment of thepresent invention described herein;

FIG. 6 shows a front view of the child seat shown in FIG. 3, wherein thechild seat is positioned on a vehicle seat near a seat belt, inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present invention describedherein;

FIG. 6A shows a detailed view of the child seat shown in FIG. 6 with aportion of the seat belt positioned over the arm rests of the child seatand under the tensioning mechanism and the seat belt latched to a buckleof the vehicle seat in the untensioned configuration, in accordance withan example embodiment of the present invention described herein;

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the child seat shown in FIG. 6A with anarrow indicating rotation of the tensioning mechanism after the seatbelt has been positioned over the arm rests of the child seat and underthe tensioning mechanism and the seat belt latched to a buckle of thevehicle seat in the untensioned configuration, in accordance with anexample embodiment of the present invention described herein;

FIG. 7A shows a side view the child seat shown in FIG. 7, in accordancewith an example embodiment of the present invention described herein;

FIG. 8 shows a front view of the child seat shown in FIG. 7, where thetensioning mechanism has been rotated into the first position to applytension to the seat belt to secure the child seat to the vehicle seat ina tensioned configuration, in accordance with an example embodiment ofthe present invention described herein;

FIG. 8A shows a side view the child seat shown in FIG. 8, in accordancewith an example embodiment of the present invention described herein;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of another example embodiment of thepresent invention described herein, where the child seat is secured to avehicle seat in a front-facing orientation;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of another example embodiment of thepresent invention described herein, where the child seat is secured to avehicle seat in a rear-facing orientation;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the child seat according to anexample embodiment of the present invention described herein;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the child seat shown in FIG. 11where the tensioning mechanism has been rotated into the second positionin accordance with an example embodiment of the present inventiondescribed herein;

FIG. 13 shows a side view of the child seat shown in FIG. 11 inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present invention describedherein;

FIG. 14 shows a top view of the child seat shown in FIG. 11 showing twobelt paths in accordance with several example embodiments of the presentinvention described herein; and

FIG. 15 shows a front view of the child seat shown in FIG. 11 inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present invention describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. The terms “first” and “second” are used for referencepurposes only and are not limiting. The disclosure of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/602,846 is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

A child safety seat may be configured for installation in either a frontfacing or rear-facing orientation with respect to the vehicle seat toaccommodate children in the appropriate position based on the height andweight of a child, such as according to the guidelines and standards ofthe United States National Highway Transportation Safety Administration(NHTSA) and similar authorities in other countries.

In order to protect an occupant, a child safety seat must be secured toa fixed location in a vehicle. The type of securement depends on thetype of vehicle and may also depend on the standards for the particularregion the vehicle is being operated in. For example, a child safetyseat may be secured to a vehicle using a variety of methods, includingusing the seat belt of the vehicle seat or LATCH (Lower Anchors andTethers for Children) attachments in the U.S.

Proper installation and use of a child safety seat within a vehicle isnecessary to achieve the maximum protection afforded by the seat. Asnoted above, some child safety seats are designed to secure to a vehicleseat using the seat belt of the vehicle seat. Often a seat belt can bepositioned around the child seat and then fastened (e.g., latched,buckled, etc.) into a buckle attached to the vehicle to achieve secureattachment of the child seat to the vehicle. However, even when the seatbelt is tightly fastened, slack in the seat belt may occur. Indeed, theseat belt may not be fully tensioned and the child seat may be looselysecured to the vehicle, which may be unsafe for an occupant. In somecases, multiple attempts to fully secure a child seat to a vehicle seatusing a seat belt may be required. As such, installation of a child seatusing a vehicle seat belt can be difficult and time consuming.

Accordingly, some example embodiments of the present invention provide atensioning mechanism for easy and intuitive securing of a child seatusing a vehicle seat belt. The tensioning mechanism enables a user toeasily apply tension to (e.g., remove slack from) a latched seat beltduring installation of the child seat to the vehicle seat. This causesthe child seat to become more fully secured to the vehicle seat (e.g.,the child seat enters a tensioned configuration). Additionally,embodiments of the tensioning system may be utilized in child seatsconfigured for use in either a front-facing or rear-facing orientationwith respect to the vehicle seat, including child seats that are solelyfront-facing, solely rear-facing, or convertible between front- andrear-facing.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example child safety seat 10 configured to besecured to a vehicle seat 28 (shown in FIG. 6). The child seat 10comprises a seat base 12 defining a seat portion 18 and a backrestportion 16. The seat portion 18 and backrest portion 16 may define aseat shape that is configured to receive an occupant, such as a child.Additionally, in some embodiments, the child seat 10 may comprise aharness 50 that is configured to secure the occupant within the childseat 10. In such a manner, an occupant, such as a child (not shown), maybe positioned within and secured to the child seat 10, such as forsafety purposes.

In some embodiments, the child seat 10 may comprise arm rests forlaterally supporting the occupant. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1,the seat base 12 defines a first arm rest 22 and a second arm rest 23.With reference to FIG. 1A, each arm rest 22, 23 may extend outwardlyfrom the seat base 12 to enable the occupant to rest their arms whilebeing secured within the child seat 10.

In some embodiments, each arm rest 22, 23 may define a curved surface108. Additionally, in some embodiments, each arm rest 22, 23 may definean angled surface 110 that extends from the backrest portion 16 of theseat base 12 downwardly at an angle (e.g., at approximately a 45° angledown from the backrest portion 16 of the seat base 12). Such featuresprovide an aesthetic and ornamental design to the arm rest.

In some embodiments, the child seat may comprise padding, cushions, orother features to provide comfort and/or additional safety for anoccupant. With reference to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the child seat10 may comprise a padding 19 that is attached to the backrest portion 16of the seat base 12. As noted above, the padding 19 may provideadditional support and comfort for a seat occupant. In some embodiments,the padding 19 may be configured to at least partially cover atensioning mechanism 30 (shown in FIG. 2). Additionally, in someembodiments, the padding 19 may be configured to fold, rotate, beremoved, or otherwise be displaced to reveal the tensioning mechanism30. Additionally, as will be described in greater detail herein, in someembodiments, the padding 19 may be configured to fold as the tensioningmechanism 30 rotates from a first position to a second position.

In some embodiments, the child seat 10 may comprise a tensioningmechanism 30 that, as described in greater detail herein, is configuredto enable a user to more easily secure the child seat to a vehicle seatin a tensioned configuration. In such a manner, the child seat may bemore fully secured to the vehicle seat and provide optimal protection toan occupant, such as during a vehicle impact. The tensioning mechanism30 may be pivotably attached to the backrest portion 16 of the seat base12. In such a manner the tensioning mechanism 30 may be movable (e.g.rotatable) between a first position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), in whichthe tensioning mechanism 30 is substantially flush/aligned with thebackrest portion 16, and a second position (shown in FIG. 3) in whichthe tensioning mechanism 30 is at least partly displaced from thebackrest portion 16.

With reference to FIG. 1, the padding 19 may be removed or folded upwardto reveal the tensioning mechanism 30. As shown in FIG. 2, thetensioning mechanism 30 is disposed in the first position which, in thedepicted embodiment, is substantially adjacent to the backrest portion16 of the seat base 12. In such an embodiment, in the first position,the tensioning mechanism 30 is fully contained within the profile of theseat base 12, thereby keeping the tensioning mechanism 30 fromprotruding into the space of the child seat 10 reserved for theoccupant.

In some embodiments, the tensioning mechanism 30 may be configured toenable a user to rotate the tensioning mechanism 30 out of the firstposition from within the backrest portion 16 of the seat base 12. In thedepicted embodiment, the tensioning mechanism 30 comprises a latch 80that is configured to enable a user to rotate the tensioning mechanism30 from the first position toward the second position. The latch 80 maydefine two pockets 82, 84 that are each configured to receive a fingerof a user. The two pockets 82, 84 may be further configured to translatetoward each other to enable a user to interact with the tensioningmechanism 30, such as to rotate the tensioning mechanism 30 from thefirst position to the second position.

In some embodiments, as will be described in greater detail herein, thelatch 80 may be configured to enable a user to retract or otherwiseunlock the locking members 61, 63 of a locking mechanism 60 (shown inFIG. 4A) to release the tensioning mechanism 30 from the first position.The two pockets 82, 84 of the latch 80 may be configured to translatetoward each other to retract or otherwise unlock the locking members 61,63. Then, due to a bias, such as from spring 91 shown in FIG. 3B, thetensioning mechanism 30 may automatically rotate out of the firstposition and into the second position. In such example embodiments, theuser may not be required to manually rotate the tensioning mechanism 30and may simply retract or otherwise unlock the locking members 61, 63 torelease the tensioning mechanism 30.

As noted with respect to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the child seat 10may comprise a harness 50. The harness 50 may define a first harnessportion 52 and a second harness portion 54. The first harness portion 52and second harness portion 54 may attach or otherwise engage the seatbase 12 at a first end 97. Additionally, with reference to FIG. 2, thefirst harness portion 52 and second harness portion 54 may also attachor otherwise engage the tensioning mechanism 30 at a second end 58. Theharness 50 may be configured to surround an occupant, such as a child(not shown), who is positioned within the child seat 10. Additionally,the harness 50 may be configured to latch to a harness buckle 11 (shownin FIG. 1) connected to the child seat 10 (e.g., the seat base 12) tosecure the occupant to the child seat 10.

In some embodiments, the tensioning mechanism 30 may be configured torotate from a first position to a second position. With reference toFIG. 3, the tensioning mechanism 30 may be rotated (e.g., in thedirection of arrow A) from the first position substantially adjacent tothe backrest portion 16 of the seat base 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2) to thesecond position (FIG. 3). In the depicted embodiment, the tensioningmechanism 30 is disposed away from the backrest portion 16 of the seatbase 12 when in the second position.

In embodiments of the child seat with a harness 50, the harness 50 maydefine a first harness portion 52 and a second harness portion 54 thateach extend from the backrest portion 16 of the seat base 12 at a firstend 97 (shown in FIG. 1) to a second end 58 fixedly attached to thetensioning mechanism 30 (shown in FIG. 2). Being fixedly attached to thetensioning mechanism 30, the second end 58 and the harness 50 may rotatewith the tensioning mechanism 30 between the first position and thesecond position. In such a manner, the harness 50, including the firstharness portion 52 and the second harness portion 54, and the second end58 may be removed from the area below the tensioning mechanism 30.Additionally, in some embodiments, the padding 19 may also be folded upwith the harness 50 and, thus, may also be removed from the area belowthe tensioning mechanism 30. As described in greater detail herein, sucha feature enables a user to have clear and easy access to the belt guidechannel 79 and belt path (shown in FIG. 3A) and allows for easypositioning of the seat belt 25 (shown in FIG. 6) under the tensioningmechanism 30.

As noted herein, some embodiments of the present invention provide atensioning mechanism for applying tension to a seat belt of a vehicle tomore fully secure the child seat with the vehicle. In the depictedembodiment of FIG. 3, the tensioning mechanism 30 has been rotated intothe second position to provide an area for a user to position a seatbelt of a vehicle under the tensioning mechanism 30 for securing thechild seat 10 to the vehicle. Positioning and engagement of the seatbelt of the vehicle will be described in greater detail herein withrespect to FIGS. 6, 6A, 7, 7A, 8, and 8A.

Along these lines, in some embodiments, the child seat 10, and itscomponents (e.g., tensioning mechanism 30, arm rests 22, 23, etc.) maydefine a belt path for easy positioning and engagement of the vehicleseat belt with the tensioning mechanism. In some embodiments, the beltpath may comprise a belt guide channel that is configured to allow auser to easily position the vehicle seat belt for proper engagement withthe tensioning mechanism. For example, in some embodiments, withreference to FIG. 3A, the seat base 12 may define a first arm rest 22and a second arm rest 23. Each arm rest 22, 23 may define a top surface24 that extends in a first horizontal plane P_(Hi). The tensioningmechanism 30 may define a bottom surface 34 that extends in a secondhorizontal plan P_(H2) when the tensioning mechanism 30 is disposed inthe second position. As shown in FIG. 3A, the second horizontal planeP_(H2) may be configured to be above the first horizontal plane P_(Hi),such that the top surface 24 of each arm rest 22, 23 and the bottomsurface 34 of the tensioning mechanism 30 define a belt guide channel 79therebetween. The belt guide channel 79 may be configured to allow auser to easily position the vehicle seat belt between the top surface 24of each arm rest 22, 23 and the bottom surface 34 of the tensioningmechanism 30, for example, by providing a space therebetween.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, other features maybe used to define a belt path that allows for easy positioning andengagement of the vehicle seat belt with the tensioning mechanism. Forexample, in some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 1A, each arm rest22, 23 may define a curved surface 108. The curved surface 108 may beconfigured to guide the vehicle seat belt into engagement with thetensioning mechanism 30 when the tensioning mechanism 30 is disposed inthe second position (see e.g., the curved surface 108 shown in FIG. 7A).

While the depicted curved surface 108 and belt guide channels 79 providea functional feature for guiding the portion of the vehicle seat beltinto engagement with the tensioning mechanism, other curves, slopes, oradjustments may be made and are contemplated for embodiments of thepresent invention.

In some embodiments, the tensioning mechanism 30 may be configured to belocked in the first position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). Such a featureensures that the tensioning mechanism 30 remains in the first positionand prevents the full securement of the child seat 10 from beingcompromised. As such, in some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 3B,the tensioning mechanism 30 may comprise a locking mechanism 60. Thestructure and function of the locking mechanism 60 is illustrated in anddescribed with respect to FIGS. 4, 4A, 4B, 5, and 5A. Though the lockingmechanism 60 described herein has a specific structure and specificcomponents, embodiments of the present invention contemplate use ofother types of locking mechanisms with different structure.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 60 may comprise twolaterally-opposing locking members (e.g., bolts 61, 63) configured totranslate between an extended position (FIG. 5A) and a retractedposition (FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 3B, the seat base 12 of the childseat 10 may define opposing side portions 15, 17. Additionally, eachside portion 15, 17 may define a lock receiving portion 55, 57. Eachlock receiving portion 55, 57 may be configured to receive a respectivelocking member 61, 63 when the tensioning mechanism 30 is in the firstposition and the locking members 62, 63 are in the extended position,thereby locking the tensioning mechanism 30 in the first position (shownin FIG. 2). In such a manner, the tensioning mechanism 30 will be lockedand unable to be rotated out of the first position.

As shown in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 4, the locking mechanism 60may comprise a cylindrical sleeve 66 that covers the components of thelocking mechanism 60. The sleeve 66 may define openings that correspondto a first portion hole 62 and a second portion hole 64. Additionally,in some embodiments, the sleeve 66 may define a trigger opening 159that, as will be described in greater detail herein, corresponds with atrigger 59 that is positioned on the seat base 12 (shown in FIG. 3B).

FIG. 4A illustrates the locking mechanism 60 with the sleeve 66 removedto show the components of the locking mechanism 60. In the depictedembodiment, the locking mechanism 60 comprises a first portion 72 and asecond portion 74.

The first portion 72 may define a first portion hole 62 and a slot 83.Additionally, the first portion 72, in some embodiments, may be attachedto a first locking member 61.

The second portion 74 may define a second portion hole 64 and a tab 92.The tab 92 may define a trigger member 95 and a retaining member 93. Thetab 92 may be free at one end (e.g., a cantilever) such that it can bendin response to a force, such as may be applied to the trigger member 95(e.g., a button). In such a manner, the tab 92, trigger member 95, andretaining member 93 may be configured to move between a trigger position(FIG. 5) and a withdrawn position (FIG. 5A). In some embodiments,whether due to the structure (e.g., material resistance) of the tab 92,or otherwise, the tab 92 may be biased to the trigger position.Additionally, the second portion 74, in some embodiments, may beattached to a second locking member 63.

The first portion 72 and second portion 74 may be configured totranslate toward each other and away from each other along alongitudinal axis. In some embodiments, a portion of the first portion72 may be configured to overlap a portion of the second portion 74 whenin the retracted position. For example, with reference to FIG. 4B, thesecond portion 74 may be configured to translate under the first portion72 such that the second portion hole 64, the tab 92, the trigger member95, and the retaining member 93 are positioned within (e.g., behind) theslot 83 of the first portion 72 in the retracted position (as shown inFIG. 4A).

In some embodiments, the locking members 61, 63 may be biased toward theextended position. For example, with reference to FIG. 4A, a spring 76may be positioned within the locking mechanism 60 to bias the firstportion 72 and the second portion 74 apart such that the locking members61, 63 are biased to extend outwardly.

In some embodiments, the retaining member 93 may be configured to retainthe locking members 61, 63 in the retracted position, such as againstthe bias of the spring 76. For example, with reference to FIG. 5, theretaining member 93 may define a protrusion that is defined proximatethe free end of the tab 92. The retaining member 93, in the retractedposition, may be configured to engage a stop surface 77 of the slot 83of the first portion 72. In such a manner, the engagement of theretaining member 93 and the stop surface 77 prevents the translation ofthe first portion 72 and the second portion 74 away from each other and,thus, prevents translation of the locking members 61, 63 to the extendedposition. However, as will be described in greater detail herein, whenthe trigger member 95 is depressed, the retaining member 93 releasesfrom engagement with the stop surface 77, thereby allowing the bias ofthe spring 76 to force the first portion 72 and the second portion 74apart such that the locking members 61, 63 translate to the extendedposition (shown in FIG. 5A).

In some embodiments, the locking members 61, 63 of the locking mechanism60 may be configured to automatically translate to the extended positionwhen the tensioning mechanism 30 is rotated from the second position tothe first position. Additionally, in some embodiments, the triggermember 95 may be configured to interact with the backrest portion 16 ofthe seat base 12 when the tensioning mechanism 30 is rotated to thefirst position to move the trigger member 95 from the trigger position(FIG. 5) to the withdrawn position (FIG. 5A). Additionally, in someembodiments, the trigger member 95 may be configured to cause theretaining member 93 to release the locking members 61, 63 in thewithdrawn position.

For example, with reference to FIG. 3B, the backrest portion 16 of theseat base 12 may comprise a trigger 59 that protrudes outwardly from theseat base 12 toward the locking mechanism 60 when the locking mechanism60 and tensioning mechanism 30 are disposed in the first position ofFIG. 1. When the tensioning mechanism 30 and the locking mechanism 60are rotated into the first position, the trigger 59 may be configured toprotrude through the trigger opening 159 (shown in FIG. 4) in the sleeve66 of the locking mechanism 60 and engage the trigger member 95 (FIG. 5)to release the retaining member 93 from engagement with the stop surface77. With reference to FIG. 5, depression of the trigger member 95 causesthe tab 92 to bend and, thus, release the retaining member 93 fromengagement with the stop surface 77. In such a manner, the triggermember 95 moves from the trigger position (FIG. 5) to the withdrawnposition (FIG. 5A). In the withdrawn position, the retaining member 93and trigger member 95 may slide underneath the stop surface 77 as thefirst portion 72 and the second portion 74 translate away from eachother (e.g., in the direction of arrows B1 and B2, respectively) due tothe bias of the spring 76. This also causes the first locking member 61and the second locking member 63 to translate (e.g., in the direction ofarrows B1 and B2, respectively) from the retracted position (FIG. 5) tothe extended position (FIG. 5A). With reference to FIG. 3B, the positionof the trigger 59 may cause the locking members 61, 63 to be positionedproximate the locking receiving portions 55, 57 when release of thelocking members 61, 63 occurs, thereby causing the locking members 61,63 to engage their respective lock receiving portions 55, 57. As such,the tensioning mechanism 30 may become automatically locked with theseat base 12 when rotated into the first position.

As noted above, with reference to FIG. 2, the tensioning mechanism 30may comprise a latch 80 with two pockets 82, 84 that are configured toeach receive a finger of a user. The two pockets may be configured totranslate toward each other to cause the locking members to move fromthe extended position to the retracted position, enabling a user tounlock the tensioning mechanism. The first pocket 82 may be connected tothe first portion 72 of the locking mechanism 60, such as through thefirst portion hole 62 (e.g., an extension of the first pocket 82 mayengage the first portion hole 62). The second pocket 84 may be connectedto the second portion 74 of the locking mechanism 60, such as throughthe second portion hole 64 (e.g., an extension of the second pocket 84may engage the second portion hole 64). Each pocket 82, 84 may receive afinger of a user (not shown). The user may translate the pockets 82, 84toward each other (e.g., in the direction of arrow E). Due to theconnection of each pocket 82, 84 to a respective first and secondportion 72, 74, movement of the pockets 82, 84 toward each other causesmovement of the first portion 72 and second portion 74 toward eachother. Thus, a user may provide a translation force against the bias ofthe spring 76 to cause the first portion 72 and second portion 74 totranslate toward each other (e.g., in the direction of arrow E), therebycausing the locking members 61, 63 to translate from the extendedposition (FIG. 5A) to the retracted position (FIG. 5).

Additionally, in some embodiments, translation of the first portion 72and second portion 74 toward each other may cause the tab 92 and theretaining member 93 to translate to a position below the slot 83. Inthis way, the bias of the tab 92 may cause the tab 92 to return to thetrigger position (FIG. 5), which causes the retaining member 93 to moveto the trigger position and engage the stop surface 77 of the firstportion 72. With the retaining member 93 engaged with the stop surface77, the locking members 61, 63 are retained in the retracted position.

In some circumstances, even despite the bias of the tab 92 and retainingmember 93 to retain the locking members 61, 63 in the retractedposition, the locking members 61, 63 may be released (accidentally orotherwise) while the tensioning mechanism 30 is out of the firstposition. In such a situation, with the locking members 61, 63 in theextended position, it may be difficult to rotate the tensioningmechanism 30 into the first position due to the interference of theextended locking members 61, 63 with the respective lock receivingportions 55, 57 of the seat base 12. As such, in some embodiments, withreference to FIG. 3B, the seat base 12 may define a ramp 53 proximateeach lock receiving portion 55, 57. The ramp 53 may be configured toenable the tensioning mechanism 30 to rotate from the second position tothe first position when the locking members 61, 63 are in the extendedposition. For example, each ramp 53 may define a tapered surface that,when engaged by a locking member, causes each locking member 61, 63 totranslate toward the retracted position until the tensioning mechanism30 is able to rotate into the first position and then the each lockingmember 61, 63 may be able to translate to the extended position toengage with a respective lock receiving portion 55, 57.

As noted above, some example embodiments of the present inventionprovide a tensioning mechanism for a child seat that is configured toenable easy and full securing of the child seat to a vehicle seat with avehicle seat belt (e.g., the child seat is easily secured in a tensionedconfiguration by the user).

As used herein, in some embodiments, the vehicle seat belt may be alsoreferred to as a belt or seat belt. Additionally, in some embodiments,reference to a vehicle seat belt, seat belt, or belt may include both alap section and a shoulder section of the belt of the vehicle seat oreither of the two individually. Moreover, while the depicted embodimentsdetail the use of both a lap section and a shoulder section of the beltof a vehicle seat, other embodiments may only use a lap section or ashoulder section for securement of the child seat. Along these samelines, while the depicted embodiments are described with respect to acar seat, other vehicles or surfaces using belts for securement arecontemplated. Indeed, the present invention is not meant to be limitedto cars.

In such a regard, in some embodiments, the seat base of the child seatmay be configured to receive an untensioned belt of a vehicle seat tosecure the child seat in an untensioned configuration. For example, withreference to FIG. 6, the seat base 12 of the child seat 10 may beconfigured to receive an untensioned belt 25 of a vehicle seat 28, suchas to be engaged with the tensioning mechanism 30, when the tensioningmechanism 30 is disposed in the second position.

As noted above, in some embodiments, the belt 25 may define a lapsection 27 and a shoulder section 29. The lap section 27 may define aportion of the belt 25 that extends from a lower anchor on a vehicle(not shown) to a buckle 221 (shown in FIG. 6A) such that it defines theportion of the belt 25 that would pass over the lap of a vehicle seatoccupant. The shoulder section 29 may define a portion of the belt 25that extends from an upper anchor on a vehicle (not shown) to the buckle221 (shown in FIG. 6A) such that it defines the portion of the belt 25that would pass across a shoulder of a vehicle seat occupant.

In some embodiments, in the second position, the tensioning mechanism 30may be configured to receive a portion of the belt 25. Additionally, inthe depicted embodiment of FIG. 6A, the tensioning mechanism 30 isconfigured to receive a portion of the lap section 27 of the belt 25 anda portion of the shoulder section 29 of the belt. As noted above, theportion of the belt 25 may be received along a belt path, such as withinthe belt guide channel 79. Once the portion of the belt 25, such as theportion of the lap section 27 and the portion of the shoulder section29, have been received by the tensioning mechanism 30, the buckle 221 ofthe belt 25 may be engaged with a buckle 21 of the vehicle seat 28. Insuch a manner, the untensioned belt 25 of the vehicle seat 28 hassecured the child seat 10 in an untensioned configuration. For example,in some embodiments, slack may remain in the belt 25 such that the childseat 10 is not fully secured to the vehicle seat 28.

A further example of the child seat 10 not being fully secured to thevehicle seat 28 is illustrated in FIG. 7A. While the belt 25 has beenreceived by the tensioning mechanism 30 and latched with the buckle 21of the vehicle seat 28, a space 112 may remain between the backrestportion 16 of the seat base 12 and the backrest portion 113 of thevehicle seat 28. Such space 112 may be detrimental to the safety of anoccupant of the child seat 10 and may lead to harm during a suddendeceleration, such as during a vehicle impact.

In some embodiments, once the belt 25 is engaged with the tensioningmechanism 30, the tensioning mechanism 30 may be rotated into the firstposition to apply tension to a portion of the belt 25 to secure thechild seat to the vehicle seat in a tensioned configuration. Forexample, with reference to FIG. 7, the tensioning mechanism 30 may berotated (e.g., in the direction of arrow C) to apply tension to theportion of the lap section 25 and the portion of the shoulder section 29of the belt 25 engaged with the tensioning mechanism 30. With referenceto FIG. 8, once the tensioning mechanism 30 (shown in FIG. 7) is rotatedinto the first position, the tension applied to the portion of the belt25 causes the child seat 10 to secure to the vehicle seat 28 in atensioned configuration.

In some embodiments, the tensioning mechanism 30 may be configured torotate, in response to receiving a substantially vertical force, fromthe second position to the first position to apply tension to theportion of the belt 25. In such an embodiment, a user may simply pushsubstantially straight down to effectuate fully secure installation ofthe child seat to a vehicle seat (e.g., the user may push down toinstall the child seat in a tensioned configuration). For example, withreference to FIG. 7A, a user 230 may provide a substantially verticalforce (e.g., in the direction of arrow F) to the tensioning mechanism30, such as with their hand 231. The substantially vertical force maycause the tensioning mechanism 30 to rotate from the second position(FIG. 7A) to the first position (FIG. 8A).

In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 8A, due to the appliedtension on the portion of the belt 25 from the tensioning mechanism 30,the child seat 10 may be pulled tightly (e.g., in the direction of arrowD) to the backrest portion 113 of the vehicle seat 28. In contrast, withreference to FIG. 7A, before rotation of the tensioning mechanism 30, aspace 112 may exist between the backrest portion 16 of the seat base 12and the backrest portion 113 of the vehicle seat 28.

In some embodiments, the tension applied to the portion of the belt 25may be the result of displacement of the portion of the belt 25 that isengaged with the tensioning mechanism 30. Such displacement may cause anincreased tension in the belt 25, which may cause the child seat 10 tomore fully secure to the vehicle seat 28 (e.g., the tensionedconfiguration shown in FIG. 8A). For example, with reference to FIG. 6A,the portion of the lap section 27 and the shoulder section 29 of thebelt 25 may extend substantially in a horizontal plane (H_(p3)) from thefirst arm rest 22 to the second arm rest 23. However, once thetensioning mechanism 30 has been rotated into the first position (e.g.,in the direction of arrow C as illustrated in FIG. 7A), the portion ofthe lap section 27 and the portion of the shoulder section 29 of thebelt 25 may be displaced by the bottom surface 34 of the tensioningmechanism 30 (e.g., out of the horizontal plane (H_(p3)) (shown in FIG.6A)) such that the portion of the lap section 27 and the shouldersection 29 of the belt 25 are substantially adjacent to the backrestportion 16 of the seat base 12. In such a manner, the distance betweenthe horizontal plane (H_(p3)) and the new plane of the portion of thelap section 27 and the shoulder section 29 (e.g., substantially adjacentto the bottom surface 34 of the tensioning mechanism 30 and the backrestportion 16 of the seat base 12) may define the distance of displacementof the portion of the belt 25.

In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 8A, the portion of the belt25 may be displaced from a position proximate a surface of the arm rest.For example, in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 8A, the distance ofdisplacement of the portion of the belt 25 is the distance between theangled surface 110 of the arm rest 22, 23 and the bottom surface 34 ofthe tensioning mechanism 30 (not shown) when the tensioning mechanism 30is disposed in the first position.

In some embodiments, the angled surface 110 may be configured toadjacently engage and align the portion of the belt 25 when the childseat 10 is in the tensioned configuration. For example, in the depictedembodiment of FIG. 7A, the portion of the belt 25 may fit on the angledsurface 110, which may cause the portion of the belt 25 to be properlyaligned during rotation of the tensioning mechanism 30 from the secondposition (FIG. 7A) to the first position (FIG. 8A) such that the portionof the belt 25 is properly received within the child seat 10 when thechild seat 10 is in the tensioned configuration.

While the depicted angled surface 110 provides a functional feature ofalignment of the belt of the vehicle seat, other angles or adjustmentsmay be made and are contemplated for embodiments of the presentinvention.

Some embodiments of the child seat 10 provide a seat base 12 thatincludes an open belt path. An open belt path is one in which the seatbelt 25 may be engaged with the child seat 10 without having to bethreaded through or overlap with any components of the child seat 10.One example of an open belt path is one in which the seat base 12 iscapable of receiving an edge of the belt 25 when the tensioningmechanism 30 is in the second position, so as to allow the belt 25 to bereceived by the tensioning mechanism 30 even while the belt 25 isbuckled to the vehicle seat 28 or while a user is holding the buckleengaging portion of the belt 25. In this example, the open belt path isdefined by the belt 25 being able to engage the child seat without theneed to thread the belt through an orifice or hole formed in the seatbase 12.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the open belt path is createdby the displacement of the tensioning mechanism 30. The tensioningmechanism 30 may move to the second position, out of the way of the beltpath so that the seat belt 25 may be laid across the child seat 10 in anuntensioned configuration. After the seat belt 25 is across the childseat and engaged with the buckle 21 on the vehicle seat 28, thetensioning mechanism 30 may be returned to the first position to tensionthe seat belt 25.

In other embodiments, shown in FIGS. 9-15, child seats 300 are providedthat include open belt paths 335, 340 configured to accommodateinstallation in either a front-facing (FIG. 9) or rear-facing (FIG. 10)orientation. For example the child seat 300 may be convertible betweenthe front-facing and rear-facing orientations such that a user maychoose whichever orientation best suits the needs of the child.Embodiments of the present invention may also be used in solelyfront-facing, solely rear-facing, or both orientations.

With reference to FIGS. 9-11, the child seat 300 may include a seat base305, which includes a seat portion 310 and a backrest portion 315. Insome embodiments, the seat base 305 may further define a first edge 320and a second edge 325 along the sides of the seat portion 310 and may beconnected to the backrest portion 315. The seat base 305 may beconfigured to receive the belt 317 so as to define a first belt path 340spanning the first 320 and second 325 edges. In some embodiments, theseat base 305 may be configured to receive the belt 317 so as to definea second belt path 335 spanning the first 320 and second 325 edges. Aswill be described in greater detail below, the edges 320, 325 may beconfigured to support and contain an occupant of the child seat 300 aswell as supporting the belt paths 335, 340 spanning the first 320 andsecond 325 edges and various inlet channels 345, 350 and receivingchannels 355, 360.

The seat base 305 may be configured to receive a seat belt 317 in anuntensioned state. Because embodiments of the child seat 300 have atensioning mechanism 330, there is no need for the belt 317 to betensioned directly by a user grasping the belt 317. Rather the user mayapply tension to the belt 317 by rotating the tensioning mechanism 330between a second position (shown in FIG. 12) and a first position (shownin FIG. 11), where the first position is substantially adjacent to theseat base 305 and the second position is displaced therefrom. Themovement of the tensioning mechanism 330 to the first position may causethe tensioning mechanism 330 to contact a portion of the belt 317 andapply tension to the belt 317. In some embodiments, the portion of thetensioning mechanism 330 that contacts the belt 317 and holds the belt317 against the seat base 305 may be defined as an engaging surface. Theengaging surface of the tensioning mechanism 330 may be used to applytension to the belt 317 by moving the tensioning mechanism 330 from thesecond position to the first position so that the engaging surface ofthe tensioning mechanism 330 is adjacent a surface of the seat base 305.As described above and as shown in FIGS. 9-10, the tensioning mechanism330 pushes down on the portion of the belt 317 to create tension when itmoves into the first position. Placing the tensioning mechanism 330 inthe second position may therefore remove the tension (e.g. allowing thebelt to be unbuckled and the child seat to be unsecured from the vehicleseat) or allow an unsecured seat base 305 to receive the belt 317. Insome embodiments and with reference to FIG. 12, the second position maybe pivotally disposed from the backrest 315 of the seat base 305. Forexample, the tensioning mechanism 330 may be rotated about a pair ofhinges 365 so that the tensioning mechanism 330 rises out of the way ofthe belt paths 335, 340 (shown in FIG. 14).

In addition to receiving the belt 317 in an untensioned state, and asdescribed above, the displacement of the tensioning mechanism 330 awayfrom the belt paths 335, 340 allows the seat base 305 to have open beltpaths 335, 340. Open belt paths 335, 340, as discussed above, allow thebelt 317 to be engaged with the seat base 305 without interference bythe various portions of the child seat 300. In some embodiments, an openbelt path 335, 340 may be defined by the seat base 305 being configuredto receive an edge of the belt 317 when the tensioning mechanism 330 isin the second position while the belt 317 is in a buckled position withthe vehicle seat 302.

In some embodiments, the tensioning mechanism 330 may be configured torotate, in response to receiving a substantially vertical force, fromthe second position to the first position to apply tension to theportion of the belt 317. In such an embodiment, a user may simply pushsubstantially straight down to effectuate fully secure installation ofthe child seat 300 to a vehicle seat 302 (e.g., the user may push downto install the child seat 300 in a tensioned configuration). Forexample, with reference to FIG. 12, a user may provide a substantiallyvertical force to the tensioning mechanism 330, such as with their hand(shown also in FIG. 7A). The substantially vertical force may cause thetensioning mechanism 330 to rotate from the second position (FIG. 12) tothe first position (FIG. 11).

The present invention envisions numerous configurations of belt paths335, 340 and various mechanisms and structures for holding the belt 317within the belt paths 335, 340. For example the belt paths 335, 340 maybe designed and configured to place the belt 317 in a position to exerta securing force on the child seat 300 for each respective orientationand hold the child seat 300 securely on the vehicle seat 302. Withreference to FIG. 14, some embodiments of the seat base 305 use a firstbelt path 340 and a second belt path 335. The two belt paths 335, 340may correspond to the front- and rear-facing orientations of the childseat 300 shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, respectively.

FIG. 9 shows a child seat 300 of one embodiment of the present inventionconfigured in a front-facing direction and attached to a vehicle seat302 by a seat belt 317. The seat belt 317 may be engaged with the childseat 300 via the second belt path 335 that spans a distance between thetwo edges 320, 325 of the seat base 305 and is disposed between thetensioning mechanism 330 and the seat base 305. In one embodiment, thesecond belt path 335 is defined proximate the intersection of thebackrest portion 315 and the seat portion 310 of the seat base 305, asshown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 shows a child seat 300 of one embodiment of the presentinvention configured in a rear-facing orientation and attached to avehicle seat 302 by a seat belt 317. The seat belt 317 may be engagedwith the child seat 300 via the first belt path 340 that spans adistance between the two edges 320, 325 of the seat base 305 and isdisposed between the tensioning mechanism 330 and the seat base 305. Thefirst belt path 340 may be defined approximately across the seat portion310 of the seat base 305, such that the first belt path 340 liesproximate an intermediate region of the seat portion 310. Theintermediate region of the seat portion, shown where the first belt path340 crosses the seat portion 310 in FIG. 14, may be located in between afront edge of the seat portion 310 and proximate an intersection of thebackrest portion 315 and the seat portion 310, as depicted.

With reference to FIGS. 13-14, as described in greater detail below, thebelt path 335, 340 and belt guide channel 335, 340 (see also 79) may bedefined by retaining channels 355, 360. The retaining channels 355, 360may be configured to maintain the seat belt 317 in a preferred positionfor securing the child seat 300. In some embodiments, the retainingchannels 355, 360 are defined as slots in the edges 320, 325 of the seatbase 305, such that the belt path 335, 340 spans the child seat 300between the two edges 320, 325. There may be a number of retainingchannels 355, 360 in different locations depending on the amount andangle a of the force required to secure the child seat 300.

An inlet channel 345, 350 may be provided to allow the respectiveretaining channels 355, 360 to be accessed. In some embodiments, theinlet channels 345, 350 may be configured to guide a portion of the belt317 into a respective retaining channel 355, 360. Each inlet channel345, 350 may, for example, connect the surface of the edges 320, 325 tothe retaining channel 355, 360. With respect to FIGS. 9-10 and 14, theremay be multiple belt paths 335, 340 that define multiple sets ofretaining channels 355, 360 with multiple inlet channels 345, 350 foreach of the front- and rear-facing orientations of the same child seat300. For example, FIGS. 9-10 depict an embodiment of the presentinvention whereby the child seat 300 is configured with two belt paths335, 340 and two sets of retaining channels 355, 360 and inlet channels345, 350, such that the child seat 300 may be held selectively in eitherorientation (front- or rear-facing) by the corresponding set ofretaining channels 355, 360. With reference to FIG. 10, the rear-facingchild seat 300 may be secured by a belt 317 that is maintained in thefirst belt path 340 defined by retaining channels 355, which areaccessed by inlet channels 345. Likewise, with reference to FIG. 9, thefront-facing child seat 300 may be secured by the belt 317 that isengaged in the second belt path 335 defined by retaining channels 360,which are accessed by inlet channels 350.

Embodiments of the present invention contemplate various configurationsof belt paths and channels and should not be construed to limit thechild seat 300 to two belt paths 335, 340 and two orientations. Forexample, the seat base 305 may comprise a single belt path with a singleset of retaining channels configured to accommodate both orientations ofthe child seat 300. Alternatively the seat base 305 may comprisemultiple belt paths disposed on different sides of one large retainingchannel with a single inlet channel for both belt paths. Further, theremay be multiple belt paths and/or channels for each possible orientationto allow for fine tuning of the position of the child seat 300.

In an exemplary embodiment, the belt paths 335, 340 and child seat 300may be configured so that the force for moving the tensioning mechanism330 from the second position to the first position while the belt 317 isin the first belt path 340 corresponding to the rear-facing orientationis substantially similar to a force for moving the tensioning mechanism330 from the second position to the first position while the belt 317 isin the second belt path 335 corresponding to the front-facingorientation. For example, the force needed to secure the tensioningmechanism 330 in the first position may be determined as a function ofthe final tension in the belt 317 and the length of a lever arm createdby moving the end of the tensioning mechanism 330 about a pivot point(e.g. the hinges 365). Configuring the tensioning mechanism 330 toreceive the same force to be secured in the first position in both thefront- and rear-facing orientations would ensure similar operability ineach of the two orientations because each would require a similar forceinput to engage the tensioning mechanism 300 with the portion of thebelt 317. The belt paths 335, 340 and child seat 300 may be furtherconfigured so that the resulting tension applied to the belt 317 by thetensioning mechanism 330 when the belt 317 is in the first belt path 340is substantially similar to the resulting tension applied to the belt317 by the tensioning mechanism 330 when the belt 317 is in the secondbelt path 335. For example, in some cases, the tensioning mechanism 330may be configured to apply a tension of approximately 20 toapproximately 60 pounds. Having similar tensions in both orientationsmay help to ensure that the child seat 300 is securely attached to thevehicle seat 302 in either orientation. Moreover, the user may be betterable to know when the child seat 300 is secured if both the force ofpushing the tensioning mechanism 300 to the first position and theresulting tension in the belt 317 are the same in both the front- andrear-facing orientations.

As described above, with reference to FIG. 14, the first belt path 340may be defined as an approximately linear path across the seat portion310 of the seat base 305 such that the first belt path 340 liesproximate an intermediate region of the seat portion 310, and the secondbelt path 335 may be defined as an approximately linear path proximatethe intersection of the backrest portion 315 and the seat portion 310 ofthe seat base 305. The positions of the belt paths 335, 340 may be morespecifically adjusted to modify the tension applied to the belt 317 andthe force required to push the tensioning mechanism 330 into the firstposition as described above. For example, one way to adjust the tensionmay be to change the angle a of an outer part of the belt 317 extendingbetween the edge 320, 325 of the child seat 300 and the vehicle seat 302to control the angle a that the outer part of the belt 317 is pulling onthe child seat 300. For example, in a rear-facing orientation such asFIG. 10, the first belt path 340 may be moved towards the backrestportion 315 to make the outer part of the belt 317, and thus thetension, more horizontal (e.g. decrease the angle a), or vice versa, thefirst belt path 340 may be moved away from the backrest portion 315 tomake the outer part of belt 317, and thus the tension, more vertical(e.g. increase the angle a). Likewise, in a front-facing orientationsuch as FIG. 9, the second belt path 335 may be moved away from thebackrest portion 315 to make the outer part of the belt 317, and thusthe tension, more horizontal, or vice versa, the second belt path 335may be moved up along the backrest portion 315 to make the outer part ofthe belt 317, and thus the tension, more vertical.

Additionally, with reference to FIGS. 12-13, the height h1, h2 of thebelt paths 335, 340 and retaining channels 355, 360 may be adjusted toincrease or decrease the tension on the belt 317. As described above,the tension on the belt 317 is created by the deflection of the beltpath 335, 340, and thus the portion of the belt 317, by the tensioningmechanism 330. The farther the portion of the belt 317 is deflected, thegreater the resulting tension on the belt 317. In some embodiments, thetensioning mechanism 330 may be configured to deflect the portion of thebelt 317 from its untensioned configuration until it is adjacent to theseat base 305, as shown in FIGS. 9-10. The distance that the belt 317 isdeflected may then be determined by how high h1, h2 above the seat base305 the belt 317 is positioned in its untensioned configuration. Theposition of the belt 317 and belt path 335, 340 in the untensionedconfiguration may, in turn, be controlled by the position of theretaining channels 355, 360 along the edges 320, 325 with respect to theseat base 305. Thus in some configurations, the farther away from theseat base 305 the retaining channels 355, 360 are disposed along theedges, the more tension is applied to the belt 317.

As discussed above and in some embodiments, the tensioning mechanism 330may comprise an engaging surface that is adjacent to a surface of theseat base 305 when the tension mechanism 330 is in the first position,and wherein a portion of the first belt path 340 corresponding to thefirst 320 and second 325 edges is positioned higher than a portion ofthe first belt path 340 corresponding to the engaging surface of thetensioning mechanism 330 such that a portion of the belt 317 engaged bythe engaging surface is deflected substantially towards the seat base305 with respect to portions of the belt 317 engaged by the first 320and second 325 edges when the tensioning mechanism 330 is in the firstposition. The possible positions and angles a discussed above are notmeant to limit the invention but rather are exemplary of how thelocation of the belt paths 335, 340 may be varied to apply a desiredtension to the belt 317 and adjust the force required by the user toachieve the desired tension.

Some example embodiments of the present invention contemplate a methodof manufacturing a child seat comprising any components or anyembodiments described herein. For example, in some embodiments, a methodof manufacturing a child seat configured to be secured to a vehicle seatmay comprise providing a seat base as described herein and attaching atensioning mechanism as described herein to the seat base. The seat baseand tensioning mechanism may be configured at least as described hereinwith respect to any embodiments or combination of embodiments.

Some embodiments of a method for manufacturing a child seat 300configured to be secured to a vehicle seat 302 in both a rear-facingorientation and a front-facing orientation may include providing a seatbase 305 defining a seat portion 310 and a backrest portion 315. Theseat base 305 may be configured to receive a belt 317 of the vehicleseat 302 in an untensioned state to secure the child seat 300 to thevehicle seat 302 in an untensioned configuration. Some embodiments ofthe method may include attaching a tensioning mechanism 330 to the seatbase. The tensioning mechanism 330 may be rotatable between a firstposition substantially adjacent to the seat base 305 and a secondposition displaced therefrom, wherein placing the tensioning mechanism330 in the second position may allow the seat base 305 to receive thebelt 317, and the movement of the tensioning mechanism 330 from thesecond position to the first position may apply tension to the belt 317to secure the child seat 300 to the vehicle seat 302 in a tensionedconfiguration. In some embodiments of the present invention, the seatbase 305 of the child seat 300 may be configured to receive the belt 317in both a rear-facing and front-facing orientation. The method formanufacturing a child seat may also include a seat base 305 defining afirst edge 320 and a second edge 325, wherein the seat base 305 isconfigured to receive the belt 317 so as to define a first belt path 340spanning the first 320 and second 325 edges. In some embodiments, thefirst 320 and second 325 edges may include an inlet channel 345, 350 anda retaining channel 355, 360, wherein each inlet channel 345, 350 may beconfigured to guide a portion of the belt 317 into the respectiveretaining channel 355, 360.

Along these same lines, some example embodiments of the presentinvention contemplate any combination of embodiments or componentsdescribed herein. Although some features of the respective embodimentsare not shown in all of the figures for purposes of explanation and toallow clearer viewing of the components of the child seat 300, suchfeatures may nonetheless be incorporated into any embodiment. Forexample, the embodiments of the child seat 300 shown in FIGS. 9-15 mayalso comprise a harness (e.g. shown in FIG. 1) defining a first harnessportion and a second harness portion configured to rotate with thetensioning mechanism 330 between the first position and the secondposition such that the harness is displaced away from the first beltpath 340 when the tensioning mechanism 330 is moved from the firstposition to the second position. Additionally, the embodiments of thechild seat 300 shown in FIGS. 9-15 may also comprise padding, cushions,or other features (e.g. shown in FIG. 1) to provide comfort and/oradditional safety for an occupant. Some embodiments of the belt 317shown in FIGS. 9-15 may define a lap section and a shoulder section(e.g. shown in FIG. 8), where the seat base 305 is configured to receivea portion of the lap section and a portion of the shoulder section ofthe belt 317 in an untensioned state to secure the child seat 300 to thevehicle seat 302 in an untensioned configuration.

In some embodiments of the child seat 300 shown in FIGS. 9-15, the seatbase 305 may further defines opposing side portions, wherein each sideportion comprises a lock receiving portion, wherein the tensioningmechanism 330 further comprises a locking mechanism comprising twolaterally-opposing locking members configured to translate between anextended position and a retracted position. As described in greaterdetail above in connection with the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 2-5A,each lock receiving portion may be configured to receive a respectivelocking member when the tensioning mechanism 330 is in the firstposition and the locking members are in the extended position, therebylocking the tensioning mechanism 330 in the first position, and whereinthe locking members are configured to automatically translate to theextended position when the tensioning mechanism 330 is rotated from thesecond position to the first position.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed. Although specific terms are employed herein, theyare used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A child seat configured to be secured to avehicle seat in both a rear-facing and a forward-facing orientation witha vehicle belt, the child seat comprising: a seat base comprising a seatportion, a backrest portion, and opposing side portions; and atensioning mechanism attached to the seat base to be movable between afirst position and a second position and that is configured to be lockedin the first position, the tensioning mechanism having an end attachedto the backrest portion such that the tensioning mechanism is configuredto rotate between the first position and the second position about anaxis, and wherein the tensioning mechanism has a first lateral edgesurface and a second lateral edge surface, the first and second lateraledge surfaces extending along respective sides of the tensioningmechanism from and transverse to the axis, wherein in the firstposition, the first and second lateral edge surfaces are substantiallyvertical to the seat base, and wherein in the second position, the firstand second lateral edge surfaces are at least partly displaced from theseat base in order to receive the vehicle belt, and wherein movement ofthe first and second lateral edge surfaces responsive to movement of thetensioning mechanism from the second position to the first positioncauses the first and second lateral edge surfaces to displace thevehicle belt to secure the child seat to the vehicle seat in a tensionedconfiguration; and wherein locking the tensioning mechanism in the firstposition is caused by engagement between two locking members and twolock receiving portions, the two locking members automaticallytranslating to an extended position to cause the two locking members tobe locked with the two lock receiving portions at a location disposedbetween the opposing sides portions of the seat base when the first andsecond lateral edge surfaces are in contact with the vehicle belt as thetensioning mechanism moves from the second position to the firstposition.
 2. The child seat according to claim 1, further comprising alatch, wherein the latch is configured to unlock the two locking membersfrom engagement with the two lock receiving portions to enable movementof the first and second lateral edge surfaces out of contact with thevehicle belt responsive to rotation of the tensioning mechanism from thefirst position to the second position.
 3. The child seat according toclaim 2, further comprising a spring, wherein in response to useractuation of the latch, the first and second lateral edge surfacesautomatically rotate from the first position to the second position dueto bias of the spring.
 4. The child seat according to claim 3, whereinmovement of the tensioning mechanism from the second position to thefirst position is in response to receiving a substantially verticalforce.
 5. The child seat according to claim 2, wherein the two lockingmembers are biased to the extended position, wherein the two lockingmembers are unlocked from engagement with the two lock receivingportions in a retracted position, and wherein the two lock receivingportions move to the retracted position responsive to operation of thelatch.
 6. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein the two lockingmembers are biased to the extended position, wherein the two lockingmembers engage the two lock receiving portions, respectively, when thetwo locking members are in the extended position and the tensioningmechanism is in the first position, wherein the two locking members donot engage the two lock receiving portions when the two locking membersare in the extended position and the tensioning mechanism is in thesecond position, and wherein the two locking members automaticallytranslate to the extended position in response to the tensioningmechanism transitioning from the second position to the first position.7. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein the two locking membersare biased to the extended position, wherein the two locking membersengage the two lock receiving portions, respectively, when the twolocking members are in the extended position and the tensioningmechanism is in the first position, wherein the two locking members donot engage the two lock receiving portions when the two locking membersare in the extended position and the tensioning mechanism is in thesecond position, and wherein the two locking members engage a portion ofthe seat base to at least partially translate to the retracted positionduring a transition of the tensioning mechanism into the first positionto allow the two locking members to engage the two lock receivingportions in the extended position in response to the transition of thetensioning mechanism from the second position to the first position. 8.The child seat according to claim 7, wherein the two locking members aredisposed at a distal end of the tensioning mechanism opposite the endattached to the backrest portion.
 9. The child seat according to claim1, wherein each one of the two locking members is equidistant from alongitudinal centerline of the tensioning mechanism and is aligned witha corresponding one of the two lock receiving portions in the firstposition, the longitudinal centerline of the tensioning mechanismextending substantially midway between the first and second lateral edgesurfaces.
 10. The child seat according to claim 9, wherein the twolocking members are disposed to mirror each other with respect to alongitudinal centerline of the tensioning mechanism and the two lockreceiving portions also mirror each other with respect to thelongitudinal centerline of the tensioning mechanism.
 11. The child seataccording to claim 9, wherein, in the extended position, the two lockingmembers each extend at a same angle relative to the axis.
 12. The childseat according to claim 1, wherein at least one belt guide channel isdefined in the seat base to receive the vehicle belt, wherein thevehicle belt lies in a plane while disposed in the at least one beltguide channel when the tensioning mechanism is in the second position,and wherein the vehicle belt is deflected out of the plane by each ofthe first and second lateral edge surfaces responsive to movement of thetensioning mechanism from the second position to the first position tosecure the child seat to the vehicle seat in the tensionedconfiguration.
 13. A child seat configured to be secured to a vehicleseat in both a rear-facing and a front-facing orientation with a vehiclebelt, the child seat comprising: a seat base comprising a seat portion,a backrest portion, and opposing edges; and a tensioning mechanismattached to the seat base to be movable between a first position and asecond position and is configured to be locked in the first position,wherein in the first position, the tensioning mechanism is substantiallyadjacent to the seat base, and wherein in the second position, thetensioning mechanism is at least partly displaced from the seat base inorder to receive the vehicle belt, and wherein movement of thetensioning mechanism from the second position to the first positiondisplaces the vehicle belt to secure the child seat to the vehicle seatin a tensioned configuration; and wherein locking the tensioningmechanism in the first position is caused by engagement between at leastone locking member and at least one lock receiving portion, the at leastone locking member automatically translating to a position to cause theat least one locking member to be locked with the at least one lockreceiving portion when the tensioning mechanism is rotated from thesecond position to the first position.
 14. The child seat according toclaim 13, wherein the tensioning mechanism is pivotally attached to thebackrest portion of the seat portion.
 15. The child seat according toclaim 13, wherein movement of the tensioning mechanism from the secondposition to the first position is in response to receiving asubstantially vertical force.
 16. The child seat according to claim 13,wherein the tensioning mechanism further comprises a latch, wherein thelatch is configured to unlock the at least one locking member fromengagement with the at least one lock receiving portions to enablerotation of the tensioning mechanism from the first position to thesecond position.
 17. The child seat according to claim 16, wherein theat least one locking member biased to an extended position, wherein theat least one locking member is unlocked from engagement with the atleast one lock receiving portion in a retracted position, and whereinthe at least one lock receiving portion moves to the retracted positionresponsive to operation of the latch.
 18. The child seat according toclaim 13, wherein the at least one locking member is biased to anextended position, wherein the at least one locking member engages theat least one lock receiving portion when the at least one locking memberis in the extended position and the tensioning mechanism is in the firstposition, wherein the at least one locking member does not engage the atleast one lock receiving portion when the at least one locking member isin the extended position and the tensioning mechanism is in the secondposition, and wherein the at least one locking member automaticallytranslates to the extended position in response to the tensioningmechanism transitioning from the second position to the first position.19. The child seat according to claim 13, wherein the at least onelocking member is biased to an extended position, wherein the at leastone locking member engages the at least one lock receiving portion whenthe at least one locking member is in the extended position and thetensioning mechanism is in the first position, wherein the at least onelocking member does not engage the at least one lock receiving portionwhen the at least one locking member is in the extended position and thetensioning mechanism is in the second position, and wherein the at leastone locking member engages a portion of the seat base to at leastpartially translate to the retracted position during a transition of thetensioning mechanism into the first position to allow the at least onelocking member to engage the at least one lock receiving portion in theextended position in response to the transition of the tensioningmechanism from the second position to the first position.
 20. The childseat according to claim 13, wherein at least one belt guide channel isdefined in the seat base to receive the vehicle belt, wherein thevehicle belt lies in a plane while disposed in the at least one beltguide channel when the tensioning mechanism is in the second position,and wherein the vehicle belt is deflected out of the plane by each ofthe first and second lateral edge surfaces responsive to movement of thetensioning mechanism from the second position to the first position tosecure the child seat to the vehicle seat in the tensionedconfiguration.